Red line train stop at Mattapan (Boston, Springfield: condo, violent crime, hotel)

[pittsflyer]

So we got back from a Trip to Boston on our honeymoon a little while back and we were taking ubers to the mattapan train stop to get into Boston from our hotel.

People then told us that mattapan was highly dangerous but when we were at the train station at about 9am on a week day it did not seem that bad. Is it only dangerous at night or is the train stop an exception to being relativly safe compared to the rest of mattapan or is it all hype?

[wolfgang239]

You really had nothing to worry about. Not unlike any unfamiliar city, you keep your wits about you and you'll be fine. If you decided to get involved in the local gang scene or drug trade to strengthen your new marriage then you should've avoided that area.

Would I live there? Absolutely not. Still one of the more dangerous areas in Boston. But Boston isn't St. Louis or Oakland so getting dropped off by an Uber at night isn't a big deal at all.

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by wolfgang239

You really had nothing to worry about. Not unlike any unfamiliar city, you keep your wits about you and you'll be fine. If you decided to get involved in the local gang scene or drug trade to strengthen your new marriage then you should've avoided that area.

Would I live there? Absolutely not. Still one of the more dangerous areas in Boston. But Boston isn't St. Louis or Oakland so getting dropped off by an Uber at night isn't a big deal at all.

Nothing would happen to you in St Louis or Oakland either.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by pittsflyer

So we got back from a Trip to Boston on our honeymoon a little while back and we were taking ubers to the mattapan train stop to get into Boston from our hotel.

People then told us that mattapan was highly dangerous but when we were at the train station at about 9am on a week day it did not seem that bad. Is it only dangerous at night or is the train stop an exception to being relativly safe compared to the rest of mattapan or is it all hype?

I think it's a both/and situation. Relative to the rest of Boston, Mattapan can be a but rougher around the edges. A lot of the more violent crime in Boston is centered there (almost disproportionately). That being said, most crime isn't random and it's not like there are shootouts every day. I'd be a little hesitant to live there, but I don't think it's nearly as bad as a number of other urban areas. So when people tell you it's "highly dangerous" they're likely talking relative to the rest of the city. It's just not that bad compared to other places. Parts of smaller cities like New Bedford, Fall River, Lynn, Lawrence, Brockton, and Springfield make me a little more uncomfortable than Mattapan.

It should also be noted that the Mattapan station is literally on the Milton border and Milton is a very safe community. So you weren't exactly in the heart of Mattapan. Even if you didn't experience crime directly (and you still probably wouldn't), there are parts of the neighborhood where you might feel a bit more uncomfortable. But at the station, it's not bad

[pittsflyer]

I would imagine Mattapan is significantly cheaper than the rest of Boston? When we were talking to our uber drivers they were saying that a condo in Boston was like 1.2 million. That seems like a rich person only city.

[tysmith95]

Originally Posted by pittsflyer

I would imagine Mattapan is significantly cheaper than the rest of Boston? When we were talking to our uber drivers they were saying that a condo in Boston was like 1.2 million. That seems like a rich person only city.

It's a mix of people rich people and poor people who can get subsdized housing. The middle class is what is being pushed to the burbs.

[redplum33]

I don't buy into the idea that if you aren't involved with gangs or drugs, and you mind your own business, that you'll be fine in these rough areas. No, you won't have a problem every time but sooner or later you will.

There have been times where I've felt very uncomfortable at Ruggles. Jackson Square also.

[rethcir]

Originally Posted by tysmith95

It's a mix of people rich people and poor people who can get subsdized housing. The middle class is what is being pushed to the burbs.

Don’t believe everything your Uber driver tells you.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by redplum33

I don't buy into the idea that if you aren't involved with gangs or drugs, and you mind your own business, that you'll be fine in these rough areas. No, you won't have a problem every time but sooner or later you will.

There have been times where I've felt very uncomfortable at Ruggles. Jackson Square also.

Really? I never have. But I'm a guy, that may be the difference.

[redplum33]

Originally Posted by redplum33

I don't buy into the idea that if you aren't involved with gangs or drugs, and you mind your own business, that you'll be fine in these rough areas. No, you won't have a problem every time but sooner or later you will.

There have been times where I've felt very uncomfortable at Ruggles. Jackson Square also.

Originally Posted by timberline742

Really? I never have. But I'm a guy, that may be the difference.

I think the difference may be that I don't feel the need to overcompensate. I prefer to offer honest, accurate information. To each his own, though.